Baghdad, Iraq — A proposed law in Iraq that would lower the legal age for girls to marry to as young as nine has sparked controversy and widespread opposition. The law, supported by some Shia groups, seeks to change the current legal minimum age of 18 for marriage, potentially allowing pre-teen girls to be wed.
Under this legislation, parents would be able to arrange marriages for their very young daughters, a move that critics claim undermines the rights and welfare of Iraqi girls. Additionally, the proposal would permit religious authorities to conduct marriages, further embedding these practices into religious communities.
The bill has faced significant resistance within the parliament, particularly from female members, who argue that it infringes on the progress made on women’s rights. Activist groups and some Iraqi Members of Parliament are at the forefront of the opposition, rallying under the cause of safeguarding future generations of women from early marriage.
Raya Faiq, a key opponent of the bill and a coordinator for a coalition of activist groups, stated, “This law legalizes child rape.” She expressed her personal concerns about the implications for her family, highlighting the powerless position it would place female relatives in when objecting to such marriages.
The discussion around this bill has reignited fears of regression to stringent, oppressive systems that severely limit women’s rights. Street protests have erupted in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, with demonstrators decrying the potential law. These public displays of dissent have occasionally led to clashes with local law enforcement.
Currently, while Iraq does not have a system of male guardianship like some other countries in the Middle East, the decision to marry does not commonly require a male guardian’s approval. This proposed change, therefore, marks a significant shift in the autonomy granted to Iraqi women and girls.
Historically, Iraq’s national law has prohibited marriage under the age of 18 since the 1950s. However, a survey by Unicef revealed that 28% of Iraqi girls are married before they reach this age, illustrating the gap between legal frameworks and cultural practices.
The pushback from the female MPs emerged robust yet found substantial barriers due to the dominance of conservative male MPs who view the marriage of minors as acceptable. Alia Nassif, a vocal critic in the Iraqi Parliament, criticized her colleagues for their narrow-minded and patriarchal perspectives.
The legislative process has been tumultuous, with female MPs attempting to block the bill from advancing to a second vote. Their efforts highlight a broader struggle within the country’s legislative body, reflecting the societal tensions between progressive movements led by women and traditionalist views held by some political factions.
Protesters like Azhar Jassim, who herself was married at 16, express personal and poignant opposition to the proposed changes: “I have one daughter, I don’t want her to be forced like me to marry as a child.”
As Iraq grapples with these proposed legislative changes, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential human rights implications for Iraqi girls.
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